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New Ashley Avenue Pharmacy opens its doors by Cindy Abole Public Relations Inside MUSC hospital's busy main corridor, one can easily miss a brightly lit room. Offset from other areas, the quiet activity of counting pills and dispensing of medicine coupled with easy conversation is the center of attention. With little fanfare, the new MUSC Ashley Avenue Pharmacy, opened its doors to customers in late January.  Mailroom Services’ Marilyn Williams discusses a prescription with pharmacist Henry Smith as pharmacy technician Holly Lancaster stocks drug products at the new MUSC Ashley Avenue Pharmacy located in Room 149-H of the MUSC Hospital. The new pharmacy is open weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. to support newly discharged patients and staff.  Its opening marks the expansion of quality and convenient outpatient pharmacy service for employees and newly discharged patients. It also marks the return of a much-needed outpatient pharmacy presence within the medical center. The plans have been in the making since 2003 according to Ambulatory Care Pharmacy manager and pharmacist Robert Bradham. Its presence today is the result of a steady pattern of growth and success of the Rutledge Tower outpatient pharmacy since opening its doors in 1998, according to Bradham. Prior to the Rutledge Tower Pharmacy’s opening, the hospital’s main pharmacy operated just several hundred feet opposite today’s new pharmacy location.  “We wanted to create a space that was both practical and service-oriented for our patients,” Bradham said. “As pharmacists, we strive to provide the best in quality customer service through consultations and professional support.”  Karma Thompson of Radiation Oncology discusses drugs with pharmacist Henry Smith while pharmacy technician Conious Cochran assists with information.  The new pharmacy, located in room 149-H of the medical center, is especially attractive to employees enrolled in Blue Cross/Blue Shield or MUSC Options. Eligible employees can receive additional cost savings or discounts on prescription copays of 30 or 90-day supplies of generic, preferred and non-preferred brand medications.  Due to limited space, Ashley Avenue pharmacist Henry Smith instituted a drop-off service to handle most prescriptions.  “This allows me and my staff enough time to safely prepare and check prescriptions with little-to-no waiting for our customers,” said Smith. The pharmacy operates weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The space, once used as a storage closet and file area, measures about 300 square feet and was renovated last fall. Bradham worked with various staff during the renovation process to install several work counters, a computer work station, plus rows of shelving stocked with almost a hundred prescription drugs and over-the-counter brand products. The pharmacy is equipped to fill most prescriptions with the exception of those that require special processing such as adult/pediatric compounded prescriptions. Most importantly, the new pharmacy is interconnected through MUSC’s pneumatic tube system directly to the Rutledge Tower pharmacy. Aside from the Rutledge Tower pharmacy, MUSC manages eight other Ambulatory Pharmacy operations including the Given-in Clinic, which adjoins  the Rutledge Tower facility. The new Ashley Avenue pharmacy site is in addition to other pharmacies located at McClennan-Banks, East Cooper Cancer Center, Hollings Cancer Center,  a nuclear pharmacy, the Patient Assistance Program and the Ambulatory Billing Office. For more information, call the pharmacy at 792-5220.   Friday, Feb. 4, 2005 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.